Latex-shipping bale



E. HOPKINSON LATEX SHIPPING BALE Nov. 23" 1926.

Filed Feb. 1922 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 23, 1926.

ERNEST HOPKINSON, NEW YORK, N.

01' NEW YORK, N. Y., A

Y., A BSIGNOB TO GENERAL OOBEORATION OF NEW RUBBER COMPANY, JERSEY.

mrax-snrrrme nun. Appliestlon tiled February 6, 1922. Serial No. 584,888.

This invention relates generally to the shipment of latex and rubber, and more particularly to a container or bale capable of carrying. latex from the source of supply I I to a distant user.

It has been found desirable for the manufacture of some rubber products to furnish the manufacturer with latex but its -transportation presented difiiculties not satisfactorily met by available forms of stopping containers, mainly owing to their cost an weight. I

The present invention contemplates the shipment of latex in a crude rubber container capable of withstandin the inevitable rough usuage in transit and also of delivering the latex to a manufacturer in a substantially unaltered condition. The container ma be made inexpensively and, after the manu actures has removed the latex, the crude rubber may be used, as heretofore, for compounding.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 1n which r I a Fig. 1 is a sectional perspective of an allrubber container filled with a quantity of latex Fig. 2 is a similar view of a container with a wooden plug closure,

. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a bag-form of container,

Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical and horlzontal sections, respectively, of a, can-form of container.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of another form of container, and

Fig. 7 is a similar perspective of a bagbag- ,form, showing the preferredseam construe.

tion.

The container may be constructed wholly or artly of crude rubber. The former is pre erred and Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 7, illustrate various forms of the all-rubber container.

In Fig. 1 the all-rubber container is constructed with a hollow cylindrical body ortion 1, whose opposite ends are close by tapered plugs 2 and 3, either, neither, or both, of which may be provided with flanges 4. And one of the plugs may be provided with a vent opening 5.

The all-rubber container of Fig. 3 has a 8, this being made of cylindrical body portion 6, whose opposite open ends are flattened and seamed fluidtight, as indicated at 7, by pressure.

In Fig. 6 an all-rubber bag is indicated at a single sheet of rubber foldedin the middle and having its su erimposed margins 9 united and made su tantially integral by suitable pressure. 0

In Fig. 7 the preferred container is illustrated. This is in the form of a bag 10, consisting of superimposed sheets of crude rubber 11 and 12, whose margins 13 are pressed owerfully upon an interposed stratum or a er 14 of relatively soft or spongy rubber o a structure such as is obtained from spraying latex into a heated chamber, as fully disclosed in United States patent to Ernest Hopkinson No. 1,423,525, granted Jul 25th, 1922.

VKhile the all-rubber forms of container are preferred, the advantages of the inven tion may be realized to an extent in containers made largely or partly of crude rubber. In Fig. 2, the container has a body portion 15 of crude rubber which is closed at its open end by-a wooden plug 16, a Wire 17 being tightened about the container to force the rubber into the grooved edge 18 90 of the disk 16. In Figs. 4 and 5, another form of a part-rubber container is shown, this consisting of flanged semi-cylindrical steel shells 19 which are bolted together, as indicated at 20, upon intervening rubber sealing strips 21 and of relatively large closures or plugs 22. The shells 19 are preferably corrugated, as at 23, to more securely hold the plugs in position. And a filling opening with atapered plug closure 24 may be provided in one of the s ells 19.

'The body portions and plugs of crude rubber in the various forms of the containers may be made in any suitable manner. Sheeted crude rubber may be coiled upon itself and compressed as the wrapping progresses to form a body portion of the desired wall thickness. This may be done between cooperating rolls one above the other. the sheet being loosely encircled about the bottom roll and being com acted by weights holding the upper roll wit the requisite pressure against the stock between it p and the lower roll, which latter may be driven in any suitable manner. Or, a sheet of crude rubber may be coiled about a mandrel of the desired cross-section to give the retguisite shape and size to the cavity in the y portion of the container. Or, crude rubber may be molded under pressure either externall or internally. If the body portion of t e container is made by coiling up a sheet of stock, I may, if desired, suitably reinforce it by introducing between the outside convolutions, and before the body is completed, lengthwise extending strips of metal or wood. The hollow body of the container may also be extruded in a. large size tubing machine.

Crude rubber however coagulated may be used as the raw material, but I prefer that derived by dr ing latex which is sprayed into a heate chamber as disclosed in United States patent to Ernest Hopkinson No. 1,423,525, granted July 25th, 1922.

In making the crude rubber container, I find it highly desirable to brush all 'oints or seams, such as around the plugs s own in Fig. 1, or the convolutions of coiled sheet stock, or between the op osed flat margins of Figs. 6 and 7 with a ru ber solvent, such as solvent naphtha. This softens up the rubber so that the subsequent application of pressure unites the parts and renders them substantially integral, secure against leakage. And when in addition to softening the rubher at the scams or joints with a solvent, a stri of soft spongy rubber, i. e., coagulated rub )er, substantially dry and not compacted such as obtained by spraying latex into a heated chamber-is interposed, as in Fig. 7, between the parts of the container to be seamed or joined, I obtain an especially strong seam or union.

The container may be nally with a sheathing or wrapping of wood or burlap, but I prefer, in the all-rubber forms especially, to indurate it superficially, as by immersing the finished container for a few seconds in approximately a 3% solution of bromine or other halogen, as disclosed in one of my previously filed applications. This treatment forms a brominated or halogenated skin which is relatively hard, resistant to oils, acids, alkalies, and free from tackiness and liability to pick up particles of sand, dirt, or other foreign matter. For the shipment or transport of oils, or other fluids, I may, if desired. subject the interior of the container, as well as the exterior, to the above mentioned brominating or halogen ating treatment.

The container may, of course, be made in any size and proportions desired. Practically, I think it desirable to construct it with a cavity volume of about two cubic feet. Its walls may be varied from an inch or more in thickness for the bag types of containers of Figs. 3, 6 and 7, up to a thickness of three protected exteror four inches for the substantially shaperetentive container illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The rubber plugs, where used, may be made in any thickness desired six or more inches being deemed suitable. But the thickness of the rubber portions of the container may be widely varied and I do not wish to restrict myself to any precise dimensions, it being essential only that the wall thicknesses be sufficient to insure the container against rupture in transit, the thickness of walls depending, of course, upon the size of the bale, the resence or absence of an external or imbedded reinforcement, and whether or not it is to be shape-retentive in transit. as in Fig. 1.

The latexcarrier or container of my invention possesses many advantages. In the all-rubber forms, it may be made indestructible or at least proof against rou b handlingin shipment and damage in vio ent seas. It insures receipt by the manufacturer of the latex in substantially the condition introduced, and this, notwithstanding the many months that may intervene between packaging and arrival at the factory. If the latex, as introduced, contains its natural quantity of water, or a relatively high content, it has been found that the inside walls of the container are lined or coated with relatively thick latex, this being attributed to a dialytic or absorptive action by which some of the water of the latex seems to pass into the rubber body of the container. And thus, the container may be utilized or relied upon to partially de-hydrate the latex in transit. The manufacturer on emptying or removing the latex may use the rubber of the container for compounding. Thus, there need be no, or inconsiderable, wastage through discard of an expensive container like a box and, incidentally, of course, eliminates or reduces useless transport of dead weight. From what has been stated, it will, therefore, be clear that an essential feature of the invention is a container made entirely or largely of crude rubber, and consequently, is entirely or largely usable raw material.

The latex introduced into the bale may be in the natural milky condition, or de-hydrated to a suitable extent. I prefer to reduce the water content to about 20% by gentle evaporation and thus economize in shipping costs. In whatever {orm the latex is introduced, it is desirable to add a pre servative, such as a weak solution of ammoniaabout 2%, to insure against coagula'tion.. The bale when closed and sealed should preferably be completely filled with the latex.

It will be understood that in the above I have endeavored to fully disclose the invention so as to enable others skilled in the art to practice the same, but thereby, it is not intended to be limited to and completely x details more than is required by the prior art and pointed out in the following claims. Therein the expression unvulcanized rubber is employed to comprehend crude rubber alone, or mixed with preservative, beneficial, or vultanizing agents, and to solely exclude vulcanized rubber, in some instances, it being desirable to incorporate such agents in the rubber at the source of supply, plantation or forest.

And by the term latex, I intend to comprehend in the claims any and all conditions of the milk of rubber trees short of coagulation, i. e., containing more or less water and at least miscible therewith for restoration to any desired milky consistency. The meaning of these terms should be borne in mind in referring to the accompanying claims defining the 500 )e of the invention.

Having thus describe my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a mercantile shipping unit made of compressed unvulcanized rubber and completely encasing latex.

2. As an article of manufacture, a mercantile shipping un t made of unvulcanized rubber and completely enclosing latex, said container being substantially shape-retem tive in transit.

3. As an article of manufacture, a shipping container of compressed unvulcanized rubber provided internally with a cavit and the surface of which is halogenate said container being adapted to be closed substantially fluid-tight.

4. A shipping article consisting of, a mass of unvulcanized rubber having internally a cavity containing latex and externally an indurated surface.

5. A shipping article consisting entirely of, a mass of unvulcanized rubber having internally a cavity containing latex, and externally a brominated skin.

6. A shipping container provided with. walls of unvulcanized rubber having an in durated surface.

7. As an article of manufacture a mercantile shipping unit which comprises a re ce tacle containing walls of unvulcanized ru iber, the receptacle being completely full of and entirely enclosing latex.

8. As an article of manufacture a mercantile shipping unit which comprises a ing walls of compressed unvulcanized rubber, encasing a body of latex with this container so that the container is completely full and transporting it.

12. The method of forming a mercantile shipping unit which comprises molding a container of unvulcanized rubber through pressure, filling, the container with latex and closing the container.

Signed at' New York city, county of New York, State of New 1 ork, this 4th day of February, 1922.

ERNEST HOPKINSON.

[ill

coagulation, i. e., containing more or less 5. A shipping article consisting entirely of, a mass of unvulcanized rubber having internally a cavity containing latex, and exdetails more than is required by the prior art and pointed out in the following claims. Therein the expression unvulcanized rubber is employed to comprehend crude rubternally a brominated skin. her alone, or mixed with preservative, bene- 6. A shipping container provided w th. ficial, or vultanizing agents, and to solely Walls of unvulcanized rubber having an 1nexclude vulcanized rubber, in some instances, durated surface. it being desirable to incorporate such agents 7. As an article of manufacture a merin the rubber at the source of supply, plancantile shipping unit which comprises a retation or forest. ceptacle containing walls of unvulcanized And by the term latex, I intend to comru iber, the receptacle being completely full prehend in the claims any and all condiof and entirely enclosing latex. tions of the milk of rubber trees short of 8. As an article of manufacture a mercantile shipping unit which comprises a receptacle containing latex, the receptacle having walls of unvulcanized rubber, the entire area of which has been compressed.

9. The method of transportin latex which comprises forming a container having walls of crude rubber, encasin a body of latex within thfs container and transportin it.

10. The method of transportin latex which comprises compressing unvu canized rubber, forming it into a container, completely encasing a body of latex Within this container and transporting it.

11. The method of transporting latex which comprises forming a container havwater and at least miscible therewith for restoration to any desired milky consistency. The meaning of these terms should be borne in mind in referring to the accompanying claims defining the SCOJG of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: I

i. As an article of manufacture, a mercantile ship ing unit made of compressed unvulcanize rubber and completely encasing latex.

=2. As an article of manufacture, a mercautile shipping unit made of unvulcanized rubber and completely enclosing latex, said container being substantially shape-retenber, encasing a body of latex with this contive in transit. taincr so that the container is completely 3. As an article of manufacture, a shipfull and transporting it. ping container of compressed unvulcanized 12. The method of forming a mercantile rubber provided internally with a cavity shipping unit which comprises molding a and the surface of WlllCll is halogenate container of unvulcanlzed rubber through pressure. filling the container with latex and closing the container.

Signed at New York city, county of New York, State of New York, this 4th day of February, 1922.

ERNEST HOPKINSON.

said container being adapted to be closed substantially fluid-tight.

4. A shipping article consisting of, a mass of unvulcanized rubber having internally a cavity containing latex and externally an imlurated surface.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,607,626, granted November 23, 1926.

to ERNEST HOPKINSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printedapecification of the above mentioned patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 20, for the word "manufactures" 'read "manufacturer"; page 3, I inc 28, claim 2, before the word "unvulcanized" insert the word, "compressed". and line 33, claim 3. strike out the word "compressed"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the some may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and scaled this 8th day of March, A. D. 1927.

M. J. Moore,

Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patents.

ing walls of compressed unvulcanized rnbtill CERTiFICATE 0F GORRECTION.

Patent No. 1.607.626, granted November 23, 1926.

to ERNEST HOPKINSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printedapecification oi the above mentioned patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 20. for the word "manufactures" read "manufacturer"; page 3, line 28, claim 2, before the word "unvulcanized" insert the wordv"compressed", and line 33, claim 3, strike out the Word "compressed"; and that the aid Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the name may conform to the record oi the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of March, A. D. 1927.

M. J. Moore, Soil. Actinz Connniaeioner of Patents. 

